Are You Ready to Welcome Newcomers this Holiday Season?
The holidays are quickly approaching. For newcomers seeking help at this time of year, please make sure that your group meeting information is correct. Ask yourself and your group, “What did I need when I went to my first
Principles above “Rules”
As I have grown in self-awareness and trust in a Higher Power, I find that I’m more relaxed about making decisions in the absence of strict rules and rigid structure. When I was a newcomer to Al‑Anon, I
Grateful for My Journey to the World Service Office
It amazes me how quickly Al‑Anon service changed my life. I began my service journey as Secretary of my home group, and the support I received from those members helped me to accept and believe in myself. With
Others’ Alcoholism Affected Me Too
As a newcomer to Al‑Anon, it took several months before I could share the most painful parts of my past—the things that had happened to me and the mistakes I had made. Growing up in an alcoholic home,
Doing Things Differently, Not Doing More Things
When I became aware of my 15-year-old son’s drinking, I put him into a treatment program. The staff at the facility recommended I attend Al‑Anon. My first thought was, How can I do one more thing to help
The Sound of Silence
There have been times in my life when silence has been healing for me. Moments spent in meditation, reading a book, or observing nature help turn off the noise of my rapid thoughts and provide me with peace.
Budgeting with Al-Anon Principles: Balancing Savings and Spending
I was 12 years old the first time I created a budget. The family disease of alcoholism had ingrained a scarcity mindset in my mother and me, and our financial situation left her feeling hopeless. To help, I
Accepting Responsibility for Carrying the Message
I came into Al‑Anon utterly demoralized, beaten down by years of living in a degrading situation in my marriage. I had become inured to the cycle of my husband’s drinking, sexual coercion, and verbal abuse that sometimes escalated
Responding to My Son’s Relapse
My son relapsed, and so did I. As I had done before Al‑Anon, I felt sorry for myself and wished my son were different. I thought obsessively about what I could say to him that would make things
Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking
I woke up filled with dread. It was the day of my monthly breakfast with a small group of moms whose children went to school with mine. My biggest fear was that someone would ask me about my
Affected by Alcoholism, Recovering in Al-Anon
As a child growing up with an alcoholic father, I often curled myself up into the corner of my bed, plugged my ears, and made myself “invisible”—tuning out the violence in our home. By my teenage years, I didn’t
Celebrating 60 Years of Conference Approved Literature
In April 1961, at Al-Anon’s first World Service Conference, our Cofounder Lois W. introduced the idea of Conference Approved Literature (CAL). As Lois explained, it would serve the same purpose as the formation of the Conference—to create unity among